​Executive Summary​

The above table serves as a snapshot of the typical factors that impact ridership, and illustrates the differences which exist between the current month and the same month in the previous year. If a change occurred, it is categorized to represent a (typically) positive, negative or neutral impact on ridership. More details on the observed impacts are noted in the description of ridership results below.

​Local Network Overview

Local Bus

Monthly Total

There were 5,185K boardings in October 2016 compared to 5,401K in October 2015, a decrease of -215K boardings (or 4 percent decrease) on local bus service. An unfavorable calendar mix of one fewer weekday and one more Sunday relative to the previous year contributed to ridership loss.

Average Daily Ridership: Weekday / Saturday / Sunday

Average daily ridership decreased on Weekday and Saturday. Weekday average daily ridership decreased by -10K boardings (or 5 percent decrease), Saturday average daily ridership decreased by -3K boardings (or 2 percent decrease) in October 2016 compared to 2015. One year after implementation of the New Bus Network, ridership growth continues on Sunday. Average daily ridership increased by +2K boardings (or 2 percent increase).

​Light Rail

Monthly Total

There were 1,543K boardings on all three light rail lines in October 2016, compared to 1,643K boardings in October 2015, a decrease of -100K boardings (or 6 percent decrease). Red line ridership was down 8% over October 2015 while Purple line ridership increased by 19% relative to the previous year. Green line ridership increased by a modest two percent over October 2015. The continued economic downturn in the Houston area and an unfavorable calendar mix of one fewer weekday and one more Sunday relative to the previous year contributed to the ridership loss.

Average Daily Ridership: Weekday / Saturday / Sunday

Average daily ridership on Weekday decreased in October 2016 compared to October 2015 while average daily Saturday and Sunday ridership both increased over the previous year. Weekday average daily ridership decreased by -5K boardings (or 8 percent decrease). Saturday average daily ridership increased by +2K boardings (or 7 percent increase) while Sunday average daily ridership increased modestly by +0K boardings (less than one percent increase) over October 2015. The decline in average Weekday ridership is the result of the ridership decline year-to-year on the Red line as both the Green and Purple lines increased over the previous year.

Total Local Network

Monthly Total

There were 6,728K boardings in October 2016 compared to 7,043K in October 2015, a decrease of -315K boardings (or 4 percent decrease).

Average Daily Ridership: Weekday / Saturday / Sunday

Average daily ridership decreased on Weekday and Saturday, with Sunday increased on total local network in October 2016 compared to 2015. Weekday average daily ridership decreased by -15K boardings (or 6 percent decrease), Saturday average daily ridership decreased by -0K boardings (or approximately 1 percent decrease), and Sunday average daily ridership increased by +1K (or 2 percent increase).

​Commuter Network Overview

Park & Ride

Monthly Total

There were 650K Park & Ride boardings in October 2016 compared to 780K boardings in October 2015, a decrease of -130K boardings (or 17 percent decrease).

Average Daily Ridership: Weekday

Average weekday ridership in October 2016 was 31K boardings compared to 35K boardings October 2015 a decrease of -4K boardings (or 13 percent decrease). According to the most recent Origin-Destination Survey, more than 94% of all Park and Ride trips are work-based trips. The increase in unemployment is a major contributor to the decrease in ridership.

Entire Network Summary

Monthly Total

There were 7,378K boardings on the entire fixed-route network in October 2016 compared to 7,824K in October 2015, a decrease of -445K boardings (or 6 percent decrease). Relevant factors were noted earlier and are included in the table above.